Safety Gear

Double Z · May-29-2006, 08:49 AM

Yep, here I am preaching again.

I'm no expert in this subject and I'm still learning myself. Hopefully some of the charter Captains will chime in on this one. What makes me bring this up is the guys heading out in the recent weather. That and on Lake Patrol yesterday, I saved one from sinking and had two more sink at the ramp. ON A LAKE. Granted, Joe Dirt was in the house and was well represented.

I'm all for fishing in big water. A 15' swell at 14 seconds with light wind is very fishable. You've only got 1 out of 4 weather issues. Now, kick up the wind to 25knts. Now you are talking about a good time. Throw in a cross swell and things get interesting. Oopsy, you just lost power. Now what? Can you control your boat? How you feeling now about only having the stock bilge pumps? Those cheap basic lifejackets? Basic flare kit?

Boat control:

Do you have a sea anchor? How about a drift sock? I didn't go with a full sea anchor. I cheaped out a little and got the drift sock from CharkBait. I got the Lindy Magnum DCMS 60". I started by borowing JailBait's smaller driftsock after using it on his boat. I think it's like the one WM sells. Works in moderate seas but will pull out of the water. It's not weighted and can collapse. On both boats, it kept us to under 5 miles of drift overnight. I have not used my new one yet. In a storm or loss of power, this will keep your bow up and keep the waves from coming over your stern.

Part of why I went with the driftsock is I can use it to fish too. Shorten up the rope, tie to a side cleat for the drift, and it slows the boat way down.

Don't forget. You lose your motor, your batteries are draining. Shut off everything you don't need. If you have a manual switch on a big bilge pump, don't forget to turn it off after the water is out.

Again, hopefully some of the more experienced types will chime in. It's normally not just one thing going wrong but a series of things. Sometimes it's minor things that add up.

Az.monkey · May-29-2006, 09:01 AM

Very good post , especially with the amount of members we have now.
we replaced the pumps and bought a sea anchor this winter. The old pumps still work and will be incorporated into a back up system

bertram31 · May-29-2006, 09:42 AM

Safety is a serious issue for sure. I hear people talk about how expensive something is that can save your life. Thats fuckin stupid IMHO.

I just recently bought a self contained six person "solas" life raft. It is the type that mounts to the boat and self deploys in the unforunate event the boat goes down. It comes with all the stuff needed for rescue and lifesaving equipment inside the raft. We can encounter some pretty rough seas over here, and I dont plan on syating around the dock.

The next thing I will get is the 406 eprib since my mini eprib will no longer be monitored next year, there almost another grand.

Jack

Sherrita · May-29-2006, 11:35 AM

Safety Tip ...

Grew up using fishing equipment with hundreds of tons of pressure.
Drove speedboats after porpoise in Tahonapeckers.
Ran a Stern Trawler in the Bearing Sea / winter.
Dragged a 2 mile cable in a straight line bow to bow with another boat doing oil exploration in the North Sea / winter.

I'm unsafe, keep your boat away from mine,
you'll be safer !

Jack, I'm gonna get a 1 man lfe raft with handholds on the outside for my passengers,
its gonna have a tape recorder that yells "swim east"

I got a epirb holder cheap, looks great, dosen't need batteries

Double Z · May-29-2006, 12:08 PM

Good info there Steve.

swinde · May-29-2006, 03:32 PM

406 eprib .... what a fantastic piece of technology,, the radio is not going to do you anygood when your 30 miles offshore in a life threating position... not only your boat, but perhaps an injured crew mate..... hope for the best prepare for the worst..

keith

Laukia · May-29-2006, 08:13 PM

Well......I hope I never have to use any of this shit. I got the 406 epirb. I have a 15 ft. sea anchor as well as the WM drouge/drift sock (for fishing). When I bought the sea anchor (not cheap) I also installed stainless steel backing plates under the bow cletes in case I ever have to use it. I also have a 4 man rescue pod by Switlik which is not quite a liferaft......but close. Ditchbag has handheld GPS and VHF and fresh water and flare kit. Sat phone and cell phone always onboard. Wetsuit and face mask and several large sharp knives. Handpump/buckets, toolkit, adding spare parts as an ongoing process. I just added my second high water bilge alarm and now have one both forward and aft. I also have twin engines which sould not be underestimated as a safety factor. I guess the bottom line is the best safety gear is just basicly having your shit together. Knowing the conditions before you leave (as best you can), knowing your boat and the passengers/crews capabilities and not pushing it. As private boaters we can pick our spots. We don't have to make a living off it. Websites like this are a huge asset. Not only for the wealth of information but we can also cover our own asses when we get in the groove and work together offshore. We can never foresee every hazard (ie; the Legend) but we can cut the odds by being prepared as best we can and using the web to judge the weather and fish catching possibilities. Just my .02 cents and I certainly don't have the experience of the charter fleet captains.

J Graham · May-29-2006, 09:12 PM

Take a first aid class for the sportsmen. Becuase when SHIT HAPPENS you cant just drive to the ER when you are out to sea. The CG will take awhile to get to you, unless they are overhead. Oh Shit. No Shit!
So you are the Doc... Do you know what to do ? Do you have a the right gear? Sr.

MacAttack · May-30-2006, 08:31 AM

Go to Pep-Boys and buy a box of road flares. You can see the damn things for miles.

Double Z · May-30-2006, 10:11 AM

Hey Mike, you ever hold one of those things? Nasty. They spray burning waxy crap all over the place. If your boat does not sink, you'll wish it did.

NASTY! They stink too. Covered with wax. Burn until gone so you'd have to be carefull.

Did I say they R nasty?

MacAttack · May-30-2006, 10:21 AM

Duct tape & a gaff handle - problem solved. Offshore - at night - no power, you'll be glad you've got'em.

OBfishguy · May-30-2006, 03:57 PM

IMHO all of the above, with the exception of road flares. it is better to have a floating boat than a burning boat. the maritime institute offers the SCTW class neccessary for all crew members crossing the border. I would recomend taking the class $400. the class not only teaches basic first aid it gives you a chance to jump in the pool with your deck boots and work gear on. climb into a solas raft, turn a solas raft upright, fight fires etc. the class teaches options that many people over look (ie deck boots as floaty's ) in addition to equipment knowlege and training are the most important items to bring offshore with you. Sooner or later shit will happen it is nice to know what your options are and have the confidence to remain calm. oh and know your limits!! for crew and boat. smart and alive will beat dead and couragous. my2cents